Reports

Thanks to Cas Hawkins for the photos. Here’s an extract from Ron Mendel’s account, to give you a flavour.

The march was huge, well over 200,000 participants, and consisted of entire families, young and old, and every movement for social justice and peace one can think of.

More important perhaps than the breadth of support was the espirit de corps of the participants – buoyant, defiant and committed. Talking to a number of marchers (not only my family ) I was encouraged by our shared sense of purpose which a national demonstration of this size and scope can reinforce. I think I do not just speak for myself that we feel more energised, inspired and committed to building a mass movement against austerity. Of course, that means some of the demanding work needs to be done locally, and towards that end hopefully we can initiate the process of forging an ecumenical coalition of activists and others in Northamptonshire.

Unite workers have won a great victory with a disciplined and well organised approach. Click Smurfit Kappa for report. Thanks Craig for the info.

Events

30 June 7.30 Sheep St Working Men’s Club Socialist Discussion and Action ‘The Successes and Action of Syriza and Podemos – is this the future for a UK Socialist Movement?’ Leaflet: Socialist Discussion

13 July Open Trades Council Doddridge Centre Tomalin Room. The meeting will be in 2 parts: 7 – 7.30 normal NTUC business for delegates amd 7.30 to 9 open meeting to discuss outsourcing of council services. John Burgess, Branch Sec Unison at Barnet Council, will be the speaker. Unison has been fighting privatisation there for some years and now we face the same thing here. What lessons can we learn? http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/

15/16 August Umbrella Fair. NTUC will be having a stall both days. Please contact Graham Croucher at secretary@ntuc.org.uk if you want to be involved and/or do a stint on the rota. The NTUC focus will be on basic TU recruitment and building for future meetings against Austerity. We will also distribute the Vision For Northampton Leaflet.